Virulent stain of bacteria believed to be cause of death of 120-200 patients in hospitals. Experts explain most of those infected were already suffering from prior medical conditions. Health ministry says outbreak was kept secret to avoid mass panic.

Health Minister Yacov Ben Yizri on Wednesday rejected accusations that his ministry had underestimated the scope of the outbreak, saying the case was kept a secret to prevent mass panic.

"It is true that the bug infects people who have been hospitalized with severe illnesses and this should not scare the public," he said.

Infection expert Dr. Galia Rahav of the Sheba Medical Center told Channel 1 Tuesday that 130 people have been infected in Sheba Medical Center alone, and about a third of them have already died.

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